National High School Football Foundation hands out $20,000 in scholarships and honors 43 scholar athletes

PASADENA -- The National Football Foundation San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena and Whittier Chapter honored 43 scholar-athletes at its 44th annual awards banquet at Brookside Golf Course Tuesday, handing out $20,000 in scholarship money.

It’s the most scholarship money and honorees in the events history, a huge accomplishment for president Tony Ortega and staff, who continue to raise the bar each year.

Fox Sports analyst and former USC Trojan Petros Papadakis was the keynote speaker and humorous as usual. But his point was clear that athletes need to prepare for life after sports and that those honored Tuesday were a great example for others to follow for taking education seriously.

The National Football Foundation is also the group that conducts the annual senior Hall of Fame game, which has been held at West Covina High School in recent years.

“The Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the NFF is most proud of all of this years scholar athletes,” Ortega said. “We are extremely pleased with the fact that this is the largest class ever and that we were able to sell out the banquet room (with 240 plus guests).

“We look forward to next years scholar athlete program and will continue to work towards increasing our scholarship fund in order to provide scholarships to some of the most deserving young men in the greater Pasadena/San Gabriel and Whittier areas.”

To be considered a scholar-athlete, football players must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in college preparatory classes, demonstrate outstanding citizenship, leadership and take part in community or school service.

Each player also must be nominated by its head football coach with approval of both the student’s principal and counselor.

Of the 43 honores, 11 received scholarships.

St. Francis’ Tyler Gangi received the Jim Brownfield Memorial Scholarship and El Monte’s Jacob Moran earned the David M. Davis/Tournament of Roses Association Scholarship, both valued at $2,500 each.

“It’s a real honor to be here and receive this award,” Gangi said. “I have to thank my parents for always pushing me academically and St. Francis for giving me the opportunity to excel.”

Gangi talked about the importance of academics.

“It’s a huge part,” Gangi said. “It’s more important than football. Football’s going to end eventually, and you want to have the academics to go on and do whatever you want in life.”

The National Football Foundation handed out six scholarships worth a $1,000 each to Northview’s Jared Brito, Diamond Ranch’s William Bryan, South Hills’ Adam Goss, Charter Oak’s Alex Haston, Pasadena Poly’s Will Genske and Maranatha’s Darron McWhorter.

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“It’s a great experience and it’s good being acknowledged for having good grades and not just what we do on the football field,” Goss said.

There were three additional scholarships valued at $500 each for the Great Minds in STEM Scholarship, which includes an all expense paid trip to the GMIS annual conference in New Orleans in October.

The National Football Foundation is encouraging supporters to sign-up for its major fundraiser next month, the annual Jim Brownfield Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament on May 30 at Brookside Golf Course. Those interested in playing or sponsoring the event should contact Tony Ortega@ortegatony84@yahoo.com